Catholic News

Astronaut legend and decorated World War II pilot John H. Glenn, who served for 24 years in the U.S. Senate and inspired young people to pursue careers in sciences and engineering, died Dec. 8. He was 95.

Christian hope is not the same as being optimistic about the future, but is knowing that whatever dark or frightening things are going on in one's life, God is there offering protection and light, Pope Francis said.

It was 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 28 -- 20 minutes before the regular 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Rita Church in New Orleans -- normally a time when the church is pin-drop quiet except for the sacristan, the organist and a few early arrivers reciting the rosary.

St. Mary's Catholic Church was at ground zero in the wildfires that devastated parts of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge Nov. 28, and while flames reached to within yards of the tourist city church, it appears to have been spared.